Pages 235-236, transcribed by Carolyn Ward from History of Allen and Woodson Counties, Kansas: embellished with portraits of well known people of these counties, with biographies of our representative citizens, cuts of public buildings and a map of each county / Edited and Compiled by L. Wallace Duncan and Chas. F. Scott. Iola Registers, Printers and Binders, Iola, Kan.: 1901; 894 p., [36] leaves of plates: ill., ports.; includes index.



 

  WOODSON COUNTIES, KANSAS. 235 cont'd

HENRY A. BROWN.

HENRY A. BROWN, M. D.—Men of marked ability, forceful character and culture leave their impress upon the world written in such indelible characters that time is powerless to obliterate their memory or

236 HISTORY OF ALLEN AND  

sweep it from the minds of men. Their commendable acts live long after they have passed from the scene of their earthly careers. Dr. Brown is one of the strong characters who have become an integral part in the business life of Humboldt and has gained marked prestige as a representative of the humane calling to which he devotes his energies.

He was born May 15, 1851, near Burlington, Iowa. His father, Sydney Brown, was a native of Ohio, and married Miss Jane Hawkins, also of that State. A farmer by occupation he removed to Iowa in 1850 and operated a tract of land near Burlington for a few years. He then went to Cincinnati, Iowa, where he and his wife spent their remaining days, the father passing away in 1894, at the age of ninety-four years, while the mother was called to her final resting place in 1889, at the age of fifty-nine. They were the parents of four children: Mrs. Mariam Pritchard and Mrs. Rebecca Corder, who reside at Cincinnati, Iowa; Mrs. Isabella Atherton, of Hannibal, Missouri, and Henry A.

The doctor pursued his education in the common schools until twelve years of age, when he entered a drug store, where he was employed for some time. Resuming his studies he was graduated in the high school in Cincinnati, and with considerable knowledge of the drug business he determined to enter upon the study of medicine and make its practice his life work. He became a student in the office and under the direction of Dr. J. M. Sturdevant, and later entered the medical college at Keokuk, Iowa.

On completing his course in that institution he returned to his old home in Cincinnati, where he opened an office and began practicing in 1876, remaining there until the spring of 1879, when he sought a new field of labor in Earlton, Kansas. He represented the medical fraternity of that city for ten years and in 1889 came to Humboldt where he has since resided, building up a large and constantly increasing practice. He exercises great fraternal delicacy in his work and has strict regard for the ethics of the professional code. His knowledge of the medical science is comprehensive and exact, and thus he has attained a prominent position in his chosen calling. His broad humanitarian spirit prompts his response to every call, no matter what hardships are entailed in making the visit. He never refuses to visit a patient even when he knows that no pecuniary reward may be expected, but he also has a large patronage from among the more substantial class of citizens in Humboldt and the surrounding country.

Dr. Brown has been twice married and by the first union had one daughter, Mrs. Ella Bordenkircher, of Chanute, Kansas. For his second wife the doctor chose Miss Minnie, daughter of Eli and Mary Neff, who are residents of Humboldt, Mr. Neff being one of the largest stock traders in both Allen and Wilson counties. The doctor is a member of various insurance orders, and fraternal and medical societies. In politics he has always been a stalwart Republican and has twice been elected and served as coroner of Allen County. He has, however, never been a politician in the sense of office seeking, preferring to give his attention to his business affairs.


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